Moog continues to believe they have the right solution to multiple British Army requirements which are known, urgent and yet not moving.

The Company has invested heavily into presenting its Reconfigurable Integrated-Weapon Platform (RiWP) as a ready-to-go answer to the requirement for new SHORAD solutions, including of course greater counter-drone capability; and for the Mounted Close Combat Overwatch role as well, which should see ground launched MBDA BRIMSTONE missiles introduce a long range anti-armour “umbrella” for the UK’s land combat units.

While the acquisition of a new Manoeuvre SHORAD Fire Unit is a very urgent requirement, the British Army has so far failed to get the procurement programme moving. The latest Major Projects Report, accordingly, has been forced to note that the intent to replace the current STORMER HVM by December 2026 cannot be met and “most likely” STORMER will have to carry on a bit longer. 2028 appears to be the new bet.

Selection of a vehicle base and a new turret should, however, be imminent: a Pipeline Notice released in May had signalled August as the starting point for a 3-year enterprise to define the MSHORAD Fire Unit. While waiting for clarity, we note that Patria 6x6 is a likely vehicle base pick, while Thales will drive the turret selection as it is the missile supplier (STARSTREAK and LMM will remain the effectors at least out to 2035) and probable overall integrator.

It is understood that the UK seeks both a “generalist” SHORAD turret and a “specialist” C-UAS gun solution, and Moog is chasing both opportunities. For the “generalist”, the RiWP is configured in a similar way as on the Sgt STOUT mSHORAD vehicle of the US Army, with the 30x113 mm gun (with airburst ammunition available) and 8 missiles in banks of 4. Obviously, the US Army uses STINGER while the UK offer employs the already mentioned STARSTREAK and LMM by Thales. A 7,62 mm coaxial completes the turret.

The 30x113 mm gun represents the big capability leap in terms of cost-effective C-UAS capability in comparison to STORMER’s load of sole missiles. In the recent past, this turret has already been showcased on several of the vehicles candidate to fulfil roles within the British Army’s Land Mobility Programme, including KNDS’s DINGO, the HMT600 enclosed cab from Supacat and the upgraded MASTIFF by NP Aerospace. At this DSEI, it debuted also on the FOXHOUND Mk 2 by General Dynamics (showcased with RiWP at their stand).

The same turret, but armed with BRIMSTONE, is offered as solution for the MCCO requirement. The 8 STARSTREAK / LMM are replaced by 4 larger BRIMSTONE anti-tank missiles, carried within enclosed canisters. The canister are a novelty that Moog has introduced to better insulate the missiles from battlefield threats and, crucially, to provide them with better protection from vehicle vibration, a major threat to complex electronics.

Moog’s answer to the “Specialist” C-UAS requirement (the MoD calls it the counter-small aerial target, C-SAT) is the RiWP armed with a 30x173 mm Bushmaster gun with 7,62 mm coaxial. This same solution is also offered for the known requirement to increase the lethality of at least some of the BOXER 8x8 and, possibly, the tracked ARES vehicles now to be used in the reconstituted armoured infantry battalions on tracks.

The RiWP is non-hull penetrating, compact and easy to integrate, as well as proven on the field with the US Army’s own manoeuvre SHORAD units.

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